Midland High lineman Steven Elmer named Associated Press Division 1-2 Player of the Year

Steven Elmer will play for Notre Dame next season. (Jon Garcia | The Saginaw News)

MIDLAND, MI —All the glory and headlines that follow it usually is reserved for the skilled-position players.

You know, the quarterback who throws for 300 yards and four touchdowns. Or maybe the running back who rushes for 150 yards and two scores or perhaps the wide receiver who reels in the winning touchdown in the corner of the end zone.

In football, those who score the points are those who are usually seen as the heroes; it just works that way.

However, if you ask the coaches and the players themselves, they usually point in different directions depending on the instance.

When talking Midland High School football in 2012, the fingers pointed toward Steven Elmer, a man-mountain of a lineman who led the Chemics to the Saginaw Valley League title and to a No. 1 ranking in Division 2 in The Associated Press' final poll.

Elmer, who stands in at 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds, also led his team to a district title and into the regional round of postseason play, where they were bounced by Division 2 state finalist Muskegon.

The Notre Dame-bound Elmer had plenty of star-studded players around him this year, but he was the star of the team that shone brightest in mid-Michigan and statewide. For his great body of work in 2012, Elmer has been named the AP's Player of the Year in Division 1-2 in an honor being announced Saturday.

"He really stepped up this year as a senior," said Midland head coach Eric Methner. "He turned into a two-way guy for us and did a great job.

"Defensively, he could shut down two gaps by himself. Offensively, we were pretty balanced but when we ran we usually ran behind him. He's an outstanding young man, very humble in everything he does."

For the season, the Chemics ran for over 2,000 yards, and when they needed to convert on third or fourth down they usually ran behind their right tackle.

"I tried to clear the way and demolish the guy in front of me," said Elmer, who also carries a 4.35 GPA. "I felt like our team had great synergy, just the way we came together. Everything has kind of worked out well for me."